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Will John Katko face a Republican primary for Congress?

Republican Nominating Convention at Syracuse - 2014

Republican congressional candidates, from left, Randy Wolken, Jason Lesch, John Katko, Ian Hunter, and John Lemondes listen to opening remarks at the GOP nominating convention earlier this month at the Palace Theater in Syracuse. Katko won the party's designation. But Hunter, Lemondes and Rick Guy (not pictured) are considering a primary bid. David Lassman | dlassman@syracuse.com

WASHINGTON -- Two rivals of John Katko, the Republican-designated candidate in the 24th Congressional District, say they will likely decide this week whether to seek a primary challenge.

Syracuse lawyer Rick Guy said he will make his decision after meeting with Katko this week.

Retired Army Col. John Lemondes, of LaFayette, said he also intends to make a decision this week after meeting with his campaign team to discuss a potential primary bid.

Candidates were allowed to begin passing petitions March 4. Those petitions are due to be filed by April 10. At least 1,250 valid signatures are needed in order to secure a place on the June 24 primary ballot.

So far, only one of the original eight candidates for the Republican designation has decided to try to force a primary against Katko. Syracuse businessman Ian Hunter said in an interview today that he and his campaign team have been gathering petition signatures for more than a week.

Katko, meanwhile, is trying to organize a campaign team and line up donors for the November election against Rep. Dan Maffei, D-Syracuse.

The former federal prosecutor visited Washington on Wednesday and Thursday for a series of meetings with GOP leaders.

Former Rep. James Walsh, a Republican who held the Syracuse-based House seat for 20 years, served as Katko's guide on Capitol Hill. Walsh introduced Katko to elected officials at a bipartisan Irish Lobby Day event.

Katko also met with senior staff at the National Republican Congressional Committee, the campaign arm of House Republicans. The NRCC spent about $2 million supporting former Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle's campaign in 2012.

A campaign spokesman said Katko did not raise any money while in town, but he attended a series of meet-and-greets with influential Republicans and had policy briefings with a think-tank and healthcare association.

Katko launched a campaign Facebook page last week and started raising money through a campaign website for the November election.